192 POULTRY FOR PROFIT 



half drop of tincture of aconite root or a one-tenth 

 grain aconite root tablet three times a day. All stim- 

 ulating foods and condiments should be cut out of the 

 diet at once, and a light ration with plenty of green 

 food given. 



2. Prolapse of the Oviduct. — "If there is a 

 mass of red or bloody tissue projecting from the 

 vent, one is safe in diagnosing prolapsus." This is 

 caused by straining to lay a very large egg, by strain- 

 ing to lay when there is an obstruction in the ovi- 

 duct, by constipation, or by a lump of feces lodged 

 in a blind pocket of the cloaca. 



Treatment. — There is nothing to be done, 

 when such a condition is noted, but to remove the 

 cause, if this is possible, and to replace the prolapsed 

 tissue. Dr. Pearl gives these directions : 



"If the bird is constipated give it a rectal enema 

 of warm, soapy water, followed by one-quarter tea- 

 spoon of Epsom salts by the mouth. If there is a 

 lump of feces lodged in the cloaca this should be 

 carefully removed. The protruding mass of tissue 

 should be washed with a warm l-to-1000 bichloride 

 of mercury solution or a warm one-half per cent 

 cresol solution. After the protruding parts are 

 thoroughly cleansed they should be well greased with 

 vaseline. Then with the fingers well greased an 

 effort should be made to replace the protruding mass 

 in the body. In doing this one should proceed with 

 the greatest gentleness. In most cases, with care 

 and gentleness, it is possible to reduce the prolapsus ; 

 that is, to get the extruded tissue back into the body 

 in approximately its normal position." 



In order to insure contraction of the walls of the 

 oviduct so as to hold the parts in place, some experts 

 recommend the use of ergot, but Dr. Pearl holds that 

 ergot is too violent a poison, and that a lump of ice 



